Cinnamon Poached Pears {Pere alla Cannella}
It’s futile for me to even try to resist dessert. It’s not my fault you see, I have a wicked sweet tooth that I’ve inherited from my Mother {so wicked you’d think I’d have a gazillion cavities but nope not a one}. While I do love my decadent desserts this time of year fruits and sorbets are higher on my dessert list. This is an incredibly simple and elegant dessert that you can make in less than 30 minutes. The hardest part will be peeling and coring the pears {and well that’s not so hard now is it}. Then we’ll poach the beautiful Anjou pears in white wine and cinnamon. Don’t fret, poaching is a just a fancy schmancy word for gentle cooking {simmering} in a bath of liquid, in today’s case it’s wine. It’s simple, seasonal and oh so satisfying.
Cook for the Cure: Fresh Beet Pasta
Those that know me, know I love PINK. And if it’s pink and sparkly ding ding ding. Love it even more. And if it’s pink and for a great cause. Swoon! Well today we’re going pink and it’s definitely for a great cause. I’m honored to help spread the word about COOK FOR THE CURE. If you’re not familiar, “Cook For The Cure, it’s a program that gives people with the passion for cooking a way to support the fight against breast cancer. Through culinary based fundraising, events, auctions and the sale of pink products, the partnership between Susan G. Komen for the Cure and KitchenAid has raised $8 MILLION in the past decade.”
Penne all’Arrabbiata {Spicy Penne Pasta}
Arrabbiata sauce is simply a spicy tomato sauce. You can pair it with just about any pasta you like. I happened to have Voiello’s le Penne Lisce in my pantry and so Penne all’Arrabbiata it was. Arrabbiata means angry/mad in Italian. With the sauce it refers to it’s spicy “hot” side.
Sorbetto di Melone {Cantaloupe Sorbet}
Dessert in the summer time should be quick and refreshing. Nothing complicated {we don’t need another excuse to heat up our kitchen do we ; ) }. With so many fresh fruits in season the possibilities for ideas are endless. For me, Sorbets are my go to summer time dessert. It’s obvious how much I adore them {you’ve seen our GRAPE, POMEGRANATE, CHERRY, and WATERMELON} Sorbets use just a handful of ingredients and take minutes to prepare. You could even have the machine running while you’re eating dinner and it will be ready by the time you are! Easy peasy.
Marmellata d’Arance {Orange Marmalade}
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sunkist Growers. All opinions are 100% mine.
Want to know a secret? Last summer I caught the canning bug. I thought it was something incredibly difficult and not for me. Was I ever wrong! Yes I admit it’s a little time consuming but it couldn’t be easier and you reap the benefits all year long. You already know we can our tomatoes, but we loves jellies, jams and marmalades too.
Sorbetto di Uva {Grape Sorbet}
If you want a super simple and scrumptious summer treat then sorbets are your answer {wow that’s a mouthful ; ) }. You can make a sorbet from just about any fruit or combination of fruits. We recently shared a POMEGRANATE SORBET and a CHERRY SORBET. And we can’t forget about the WATERMELON & LIME SORBET that made it’s debut last summer. Now we have a robust red grape sorbet to tempt your taste buds.
Affogato al Caffe {Affogato}
If you like espresso and you like gelato {or ice cream} then this dessert is for you. Affogato means “drowned” in Italian, which is exactly what you are doing to the gelato/ice cream with the hot and steamy espresso. I never know whether to eat it with a spoon or a straw so I use both ; ) I even like to up the ante by adding a shot of Amaretto {and the only Amaretto for me is Amaretto di Saronno}
Ruote e Piselli {Wagon Wheel Pasta with Peas}
It’s summer time. It’s HOT, the kids are home on summer vacation and they are about to eat us out of house and home. Is it the same for you right now? During these busy and WARM months I need quick and delicious meals to get on the table in a hurry. Ruote e Piselli is a meal that can be prepared in 10 minutes or less. Ruote means wheels in Italian and besides being fun to look at and eat they’re the perfect shape pasta to pair with vegetables!
Salsa di Pomodoro {Tomato Sauce}
There is something so beautiful about a simple plate of pasta. One of the simplest is when it’s dressed with a basic tomato sauce. This 5 ingredient sauce easily comes together in less than 30 minutes and can be used for a variety of dishes. The key to a simple dish is always using the freshest quality ingredients possible.
Negroni
There are a few classic Italian cocktails, the Negroni is on that short list. It’s said to have originated in Florence as a twist to the Americano cocktail. It’s an aperitif which is meant to be enjoyed prior to dinner to stimulate the appetite {not that I have any problem with that}. And while I was in ROMA recently we did just that.
Sorbetto di Melagrana {Pomegranate Sorbet}
I’ve officially brought my ice cream maker out of it’s winter hibernation. It gets a pretty heavy workout in our house during the warm months and needs a little reprieve during the colder months ; ) The only decision what was to make in it first. A refreshing sorbet seemed like a great choice ; )
Nutella Pancakes
It’s been a while since our last Nutella posting {gasp I know}. I thought I’d rectify that with a short stack of Nutella deliciousness. While I was in Roma last week I had a Cornetto with a pocket Nutella just about every morning for breakfast along with my cappuccino. It was perfetto but it made me realize that I didn’t have very many Nutella breakfast options for you. So now I give you….Nutella pancakes {& they couldn’t be easier to make}
Panzanella
If you’re like me, you don’t like wasting any food. Including stale bread. Yes, sometimes it happens, the bread gets stale before we can use it. Normally I would turn it into homemade breadcrumbs but now that spring is here and summer is right on it’s heels, I prefer to make Panzanella out of that stale bread.
Ciambelline di Formaggio {Cheese Rings}
Cheese is glorious. It comes in all different shapes, sizes and tastes. I don’t know that I’ve met a cheese I didn’t like on some level. Now, granted there are cheeses that I adore more than others, but I don’t think I’ve ever said. Nope don’t like that one. So when I was contacted by Cypress Grove Chevre and asked if I’d like to sample a slew of their cheeses you know it took me all of two seconds to reply with a YES, please and thank you ; )
Mele Cotte {Baked Apples}
Mele Cotte {Baked Apples} are one of life’s simple pleasures. It’s a beautiful {and mostly healthy GASP} dessert that you can pull together even at the last minute and pop it into the oven while you’re enjoying your dinner. It’s simple enough for a family dinner and yet elegant enough for a get together.
Crostini ai Funghi {Mushroom Crostini}
This is one of my favorite appetizers {or snacks for that matter} of all time. It incorporates two of my favorite things: mushrooms and bread. It comes together in a snap and makes for such a pretty presentation. If you’re having a party this appetizer should be on your list!
Risotto alle Fragole {Strawberry Risotto}
When most people hear “Strawberry Risotto” they’re not quite sure how to react. It’s usually followed by REALLY? One bite is usually all it takes to change their mind. Strawberry Risotto is a common dish in Northern Italy. It’s a sweet and savory combination that’s refreshing and rich. It’s perfect for spring/summer when strawberries are multiplying faster than rabbits.
Calzone ai Funghi {Mushroom Calzones}
Buona Pasquetta! Pasquetta is the Monday after Easter, and it’s typically celebrated while picnic-ing with family and friends. I am a sucker for a picnic especially at a scenic location in the spring while the breeze is blowing, the birds are chirping, we’re noshing on simple satisfying food all while being surrounded with those that I adore. A perfect picnic indeed.
Gnudi {Spinach and Ricotta Gnudi}
If you like gnocchi then chances are you’ll love GNUDI! Gnudi are naked ravioli. Why naked? Because it’s the ravioli filling without the wrapper. I will tell you these are quite addictive. They’re creamy pillows of ricotta and spinach rolled into blissful bites.
Spaghetti con Olive e Limone {Spaghetti with Olives and Lemon}
Spring has SPRUNG! As it’s getting warmer and we’re spending more and more time relaxing and soaking up the sun {ehem okay that’s what I wish I was doing. Instead I’m busy running around like crazy is more like it} I find dinner time is sneaking up on me and I’m not as prepared as I’d like to be. SO what’s a girl to do…throw together a quick and simple pasta dish of course ; )
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